A lot of these names we’ve all grown up with. We know them from television, radio and sometimes even from a massive billboard. This list also contains some other local celebrities whose unique personalities and talents make our city so special. These are the people who are Queen City famous.
Blake Maislin Cincinnati personal injury lawyer well-known for his “catchy” radio commercials (444-4444!) and billboards featuring him wearing boxing gloves and controversial quotation marks that beg the question, “Is he in fact an attorney?” Photo: Google Maps screengrab Photo: Google Maps screengrab
Ed Hartman from Furniture Fair Spokesman for the Cincinnati-based furniture brand, well-known for his petite stature and big personality. Seen alongside former football player Anthony Muñoz in commercials. Photo: YouTube
Jungle Jim James O. Bonaminio, otherwise known as Jungle Jim, founder of Greater Cincinnati’s massive international markets located in Fairfield and Eastgate. Photo: YouTube
Buddy LaRosa Founder of Cincinnati-based regional pizza chain LaRosa’s. Buddy started the family business in 1954 and it now has over 60 locations throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Photo: LaRosas.com
Bob Herzog Co-anchor of Local 12’s “Good Morning Cincinnati” segment who has gathered a large following for his wholesomely candid Facebook live videos of him chatting with viewers in the morning while showing his make-up routine before the show and his daily dance breaks. Herzog has also performed in many Cincinnati Children’s Theatre productions, including Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR., A Charlie Brown Christmas, Disney’s Aladdin JR. and more. Photo: Bob Herzog/Facebook
Garey Faulkner Many are familiar with Garey Faulkner for his iconic beard and devotion to the Cincinnati Bengals. He is also an actor and model. Photo: Jesse Fox
Nick Clooney Otherwise known as George Clooney’s dad. He has gotten national attention just for being George’s dad, but around here, he’s a superstar to people of a certain age. Aside from being the father of one of the most famous actors in the nation, Nick also spent time as an journalist, anchorman and television host. Photo: By Dr. Blofeld at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Pam Kravetz An integral piece of Cincinnati’s arts culture, Pam Kravetz wears many hats. She is an artist, an educator, wig wearer, parade leader and Queen of glitter and sass. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Molly Wellmann An iconic Queen City bar owner, mixologist, author and historian. Owner of Over-the-Rhine’s Japp’s, Wellmann loves to welcome her guests with a craft cocktail and storytime ranging in topics from bourbon to Cincinnati history. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Dr. Mandell-Brown Well-known plastic surgeon throughout the Greater Cincinnati region. You have probably seen his face on a billboard or two off of the highway. Photo: mandellbrown.com
Jeff & Jenn Morning radio show host duo on Q102 with popular segments including Second Date Update and the Best Friend Game. The show is co-hosted by Tim Timmerman and Jennifer Fritsch. Photo: Facebook.com/jeffandjennq102
Ed and Alisha from the AllGood Home Improvement commercials AllGood Home Improvements father-and-daughter duo seen on television commercials. Many have considered the commercials both very loud and aggressively annoying. Remember, they’ll “save you a looot of money!” Photo: YouTube
Kwik Brothers The Kwik Brothers were “twins” (just bad visual effects, it was one dude) who were in the commercials for a local convenience store chain called King Kwik. Photo: YouTube
Michael Flannery Host of children’s television program “Club Nineteen.” Also known as a comedian, anchor/reporter and TV spokesman for Ohio Valley Goodwill where he works as the public information officer. Photo: michaelflannery.com
Raymond Thunder-Sky The artist Raymond Thunder-Sky was a constant source of sightings, with his clown suit/lunchbox/hard hat attire. Photo: Thunder-Sky, Inc. Facebook
Bagel Man John Marx, also known by his superhero alter ego Bagel Man, is the founder of Blue Ash’s Marx Hot Bagels. He retired and sold the Blue Ash bagel shop in 2019, after running the business for almost 50 years. Photo: Facebook.com/MarxHotBagels
Burton Kallick of Buddy’s Carpets Former owner of Buddy’s Carpet, now Buddy’s Flooring. Had a familiar commercial jingle that went, “you’ve got a buddy in the carpet business.” Kallick since passed away. Photo: YouTube
“Uncle Al” Lewis TV show host. The Uncle Al Show was huge, a rite of passage for kids to go on it (it seems like 50 percent of the kids who grew up in Cincinnati between 1950-1985 were a part of the audience; the kids also were on camera). George Clooney appeared in a video piece on the show when he was 10. Photo: YouTube
Jeff Wyler Founder and CEO of Jeff Wyler Automotive Family. Seen on many commercials Photo: YouTube